What is a "flat panel tv"?
Date: August 3, 2004
A “flat screen tv” technically refers to any television where the viewing surface (i.e. the screen) is completely flat. A flat screen tv’s benefits include the reduction in outside light that is reflected off the screen, thereby distracting the viewer from the picture. In addition, a flat screen tv has a wider viewing angle, allowing you to sit farther away and at an angle while still getting a complete picture.
On the other hand, a “flat panel tv” usually refers to a plasma screen or lcd screen television. These tv’s are very thin, hence the term, “flat panel television”. Their screens are also flat so they are also “flat screen tv’s”. The benefits of flat panel televisions are their space saving and attractive design, and lower power usage. In most cases, these are designed so that the owner can install on a wall if desired.
Plasma screen tv’s can generally be as thin as 3.5 inches and have a screen of 60 inches or more across. Lcd tv’s are generally a little thicker than plasma screens, but are still thin enough to hang on a wall. Rear-projection televisions, on the other hand, can be up to 2 feet deep and traditional CRT televisions 3.5 feet or more when you get into the 42 inches and up range.
More articles at our Flat Screen TV Articles page.
